Jupiter Rising Over Toronto: Train’s 25th Anniversary Tour Lights Up RBC
- jaybroderick
- 17 minutes ago
- 9 min read
By: Jay Broderick
Toronto, Canada - RBC Amphitheatre again... man, I love this venue! And while Foo Fighters are tearing up Rogers Stadium 34 kilometres away (JMC is there), I’m here for Train and the 25th anniversary of their hit album Drops of Jupiter.
What a perfect day. The sun is shining, it’s very warm but not stinking hot, and there’s zero humidity. That outdoor summertime concert buzz is alive and well tonight. This is the tour's only stop in Canada, despite Canadian giants Barenaked Ladies playing a supporting spot, and is one of those areas where Torontonians should be proud. It's the one Canadian stop that is typically always on a North American Tour.
Matt Nathanson
I’m completely unfamiliar with Matt Nathanson, but the band kicked things off with their 2027 track "Car Crash", which despite the track title, came out with very chill, smooth vibes. Ahead of their third track "Pablo Picasso", Nathanson apologized to the kids in the crowd. "This next song in the only song that has the work 'fuck' in it. I'm sorry. But it's the only time we say 'fuck'. We don't use the word 'fuck' again after we say 'fuck' this time." It was a hilarious moment that showed the artist's talents beyond just being a musician.
As the handful of photographers left the pit after "Pablo Picasso", Nathanson tok a heartfelt moment to say "good-bye" to us, and explaining that he never understood why they didn't give us better angles to shoot from so he doesn’t look like he has a “turkey neck.” More fun from the singer, but not the last.
Matt Nathanson's music has a complete feel-good, chillness to it, even despite the 'fuckery' that happened early on. They went on to cover James' "Laid" and Nathanson even found himself out on the lawns, for "Bill Murray". A great start to the night.
Matt Nathanson Photo Gallery (all photos by: Jay Broderick)
Barenaked Ladies
Now these guys, I am completely familiar with! If you are Canadian, there is pretty much a guarantee that you are too. And most definitely, if you are from Scarborough, and were around in the late 1980s, early 1990s, then Barenaked Ladies are a household name that you're proud of. Remember when Toronto mayor June Rowlands banned the band from playing the 1991 New Year's Eve concert at Nathan Phillips Square because of their name? I guarantee you, if there was ever any band who deserved that treatment, it was NOT BNL! I’ve actually only seen them once, at Live 8 in 2005 at Molson Park in Barrie, where they only played three tracks. So needless to say, I was looking forward to this set. And my claim to fame? Ed Robertson’s brother used to be a neighbour of mine before I headed further east.
The band kicked things off with their 2017 song "Lookin' Up", and we were off, the next hour primed and ready for the Tom Foolery of the Barenaked Ladies. After the first track, Robertson welcomed the hometown crowd before going into “This Old Apartment.” The screen behind them flashes images of Toronto from “our era” (us Gen -Xers). Nostalgic and heartfelt, as visions of "Honest Ed's" and other Toronto landmarks played behind the band. As is part of the band's mantra, they constantly cracked jokes, moved all around the stage, and kept the energy loose and fun.
While I have a real love for this venue both as a media representative, and a fan, the one logistical nightmare is the trek after our photography work is completed, having to leave, check gear, and head back in to your seat. And if you have to pee, then you're bound to miss 2 (sometimes 3) songs. But I was able to make it to my seat just in time for “Big Backyard.” The venue is completely jammed, front to back, all the way to the lawns. Not unusual for a Toronto crowd, but I’m a little surprised to see very few people on their feet. The crowd from Styx got a pass… but not these fans. COME ON TORONTO!!!
THEN, as if by some force by the music gods, as the opening chimes of “Pinch Me” played out, an enormous cheer erupted and a bunch of people finally get their butts off their seats... but still, nowhere near what it should be for a local band that has made massive inroads in the world of music. Matt Nathanson even joined the band for this one, and while it was a bit of a response, it was still lacking.
Throughout the band's set, frontman Ed Robertson introduced each track with a little story, or meaningful memory about the next song. “We’re playing this tour in multiple cities over two months but only have 'One Night' in our hometown,” and “This is from a record we made for children, but it works for former children too…” ahead of "Raisins" or “This is a song we originally released on cassette only…” ahead of “Blame It On Me.” Now that's a trip if I ever heard one! But it was the one interaction ahead of "Brian Wilson" that had an extra special outcome. “So nice to have you all here tonight. We’ve had the honour of playing some of the most iconic venues in the world, but we had the pleasure of playing this song at the Peach Pit After Dark in Hollywood, California." Robertson referred back to the band's 1997 appearance on Beverly Hills, 90210. It was at a time when original guitarist, and bassist Jim Creeggan's brother Andy left the band. But the boys clearly continue to be close as Robertson then introduces Andy Creeggan who came out to play the bongos for the popular song. Now everybody was on their feet. It’s about time, Toronto!! Singing and dancing ensue. A double bass solo with bongos. The crowd erupts.
Hilariously, Ed chirps “WOW! There is only one way to follow up a song like that, and that’s with a brand new song that nobody knows!” The band then rolled out “Almost Ready.” As the track came to a close, Ed jokes about how important it is to play the new songs because this is the 25th anniversary of Drops of Jupiter, and in 25 years you’ll be able to say you were at RBC when BNL first played "Almost Ready".
“I’d like to encourage you to sing as much of this next song, and I’ll try to do the same…” As Robertson burst out the lyric “It's been 'One Week' since you looked at me”, the crowd erupted again, but to be frank, when this song first came out in the ’90s, I hated it! We’d be sitting at our desks at work and as soon as the opening line came on the radio, I’d turn it off. My mate Eric would say “HEY!” and I’d say “I hate this song,” and he’d say “That’s my friend from high school.” But it’s grown on me over the decades, and besides, it ain’t about me. The crowd loves it, witnessed by 16,000 on their feet, and a huge applause. Here they stayed, and even sang along to every lyric of "If I Had $1000000", cell phones held high, recording every second. It's clearly never to late, as the crowd eventually made up for their lacklustre performance, which was completely on them.
Barenaked Ladies Photo Gallery (all photos by: Jay Broderick)
TRAIN
The interlude builds. Lights flicker and flash behind the curtain. The band's font, spelling the word t-r-a-i-n shines through the fabric, and when the curtain drops, the band blasts straight into “She’s On Fire.” It's the opening tack to the band's second full length album, 2001's Drops of Jupiter. It's the album that the band is currently touring in celebration of. 25 years! The backdrop screen is engulfed in flames, with real‑time images of the band burning in the visuals. Just like "She", they're on fire! The crowd is pumped, and the show is alive!
Ahead of the show, some photographers warned me "Be ready for all the cell phones getting thrown onto the stage." I didn't overly know what this meant. I mean, I had an idea, but didn't quite grasp it. As the band headed into their third track "If It's Love", the stage was cast in a very cool blue light, typically not ideal for concert images. And then I catch sight of a cell phone getting tossed onto the stage. Frontman Pat Monahan bent down, still in full vocal range, picked it up, turned his back to the crowd, took a selfie, and tossed the phone back into the crowd. And then came another. And then another! Ah... I got it! Monahan turns this specific song into an interactive moment with the band's fans. It's a simple idea, but man, this works! The singer grabs every phone that makes its way to the stage and the fans in the front row absolutely love it. Seriously, how cool to have a musician you love take a selfie on your phone? And if you look closely at your Monahan selfie, you just might see your friendly neighbourhood LoudTO photographer in the pit, grabbing a shot of the shot!
As I get to my seat, I immediately notice one thing... the whole venue is on their feet for “Calling All Angels.” I mean, come on... this is only the 6th song! That’s the way to do it, Toronto.
Train continues into "Meet Virginia", and at this early moment in the set, the band intros roll out as the beat keeps going. Monahan, donning a Virginia T-shirt begins to throw some out into the crowd. They're in a frenzy, desperate to get their hands on one. But it's the last one that holds the most weight. The singer signs the one he’s wearing, then goes to each band member and has them sign it. He takes it off, walks back and forth across the stage, fakes throwing it into the crowd… and then drops it on the stage instead. Barenaked Ladies frontman Ed Robertson then joins Train on stage. As the beat continues to roll, Robertson does the classic crouch‑down and rise-up with arms in the air for the crowd’s cheer. Hyped from the start, they happily play along as the band rolls into the John Denver classic “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” The whole venue bursts out in song. Man… this crowd is LOUD right now! The band then concludes "Meet Virgina", turning this into a medley of fun with the crowd. The interaction is clearly of importance for Train, and a huge reason why the fans are enamoured.
They thank BNL, saying it’s their first tour together and they love them. Then they introduce a new track, “To Gloria” from their yet to be released 12th studio album Mad Dog in the Fog, scheduled for a November 2026 release. Sadly though, everybody sits down. What is it with new music that fans don’t like? It never made sense to me. With the lyrics "red roses don't mean anything", Monahan proceeds to throw red roses into the crowd, another indication that these guys are all about their fans.
One of the most striking moments of this show for me was during the song “Mississippi.” The band's singer commented on it being his favourite, and the slower track brought the mood way down. But Monahan's voice shone brightly here, and the “woah oh ohs” were pitch perfect! Listen, this isn't HEAVY music, but say what you will, this guy’s voice is fantastic. But the tempo builds to a point where guitarist Butch Walker moved front stage for the solo as the track crescendos... and he absolutely shreds it! Like WHAT? The recorded version is great, but the live performance was an absolute show stopper.
There's something to be said about going to a concert to see your favourite bands, and then a surprise special guest pops out on stage with them. There's nothing quite like it if it's a huge star (like Alex Lifeson's appearance during Tom Morello's show at Danforth Music Hall in 2025), but even when it's a lesser know star, but somebody who is starting to catch the industry's eyes, it's a special thing. So when Train brought out rising guitar phenom Rock Monahan to jam with his dad's band, the crowd erupted in applause yet again, and jumped to their feet in a standing ovation. And damn, this kid can kick it!!
This concert was one thing after another. Pat Monohan grabbed a venue video camera and pointed it at the crowd. Giant beach balls were kicked into the audience. Coloured spotlights flashed around the venue. It was a spectacle for sure! But it was more than just a spectacle... the band sounded great, and the crowd was on fire! For “Hey, Soul Sister” they burst out in song. It's a great track, but hearing it live with full crowd participation was something else.
Set List
She's on Fire
50 Ways to Say Goodbye
If It's Love
Play That Song
Jack & Diane (John Mellencamp cover)
Calling All Angels
Meet Virginia / Country Roads / Meet Virginia
To Gloria
Mississippi
Marry Me
Stone in Love (Journey cover)
Save Me, San Francisco
Hey, Soul Sister
Drive By
Drops of Jupiter
What a great concert. I like Train, but I wouldn’t call myself a "fan", so I didn’t have much expectation going in… but man, this is probably the most surprisingly good show I have ever seen in my life. It was really, really great!
Train Photo Gallery (all photos by: Jay Broderick)
Train Online
Show Date: August 4, 2026